Victoria Square

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Developer Growland has appointed LU Simon to build stage one of its mixed-use residential <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/projects/victoria-square-8-hopkins-street-footscray">project Victoria Square</a>, with construction now underway on the first two towers, reinforcing the continued demand for Footscray. 

The $600 million project comprises six residential towers of 937 apartments, in addition to over 5,500 sqm of commercial, retail and hospitality space on Hopkins Street.  The first phase of Victoria Square is expected to be completed by late 2020 and has achieved sales of 90%. <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/news/victoria-squares-next-phase-adds-to-footscrays-development-pipeline">Stage three, titled VS03, has just launched to market and will include a boutique collection of just 86 apartments.</a>

Growland says it’s not surprising Footscray has become a hotspot, particularly for young buyers, with research from District Data indicating that the area is in the early ‘hotspot’ phase, providing buyers an opportunity to take advantage of excellent value for money.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/victoria_square_-_facade_hero_shot_1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The first stage of Victoria Square has commenced construction. Image: Supplied"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="883" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/victoria_square_-_facade_hero_shot_1.jpg?itok=aIAiSK8i" title="The first stage of Victoria Square has commenced construction. Image: Supplied" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The first stage of Victoria Square has commenced construction. Image: Supplied</figcaption></figure>According to Growland, the company is proud to be partnering with LU Simon, a builder that it says shares its vision for the project and commitment to the well-being of the residents.LU Simon has had a presence in the Melbourne for over 60 years, across a broad portfolio of projects including eight residential projects across Australia currently at construction.

Victoria Square is just one of a growing number of residential sites commencing in Footscray, with the suburb now one of Melbourne’s most sought-after inner-suburbs for young homebuyers. <a href="https://www.districtdata.com.au/">District Data</a> indicates the proportion of residents aged 20-39 has increased by a substantial seven per cent between 2006 and 2016. These buyers are driving demand for housing and a subsequent shift in the local built environment, with approximately 282 dwellings currently under construction in the area.

The appeal of Footscray as a suburb to buy apartments in is also reflected in it being amongst <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/news/urbans-top-5-for-october-most-viewed-suburbs">the 5 most viewed suburbs on Urban.com.au during October</a>, in fourth place. 

<h2>Footscray's development pipeline</h2>

<iframe frameborder="0" height="420px" src="https://www.urban.com.au/developments/footscray-vic?embeddable=map" width="100%"></iframe>

<h2>What they say...</h2>

<blockquote>
Footscray is an ideal location for young families, working professionals and first and second home buyers. In addition to being just 4km from Melbourne’s CBD, it is a thriving education and employment hub in its own right, which is driving the shift in demographics to younger buyers that want to be close to the action.

The multicultural community offers an impressive variety of hospitality options and a friendly and vibrant atmosphere. It’s incredibly rewarding to be able to play a role in the area’s rejuvenation and to create a communal space where locals can enjoy top-quality restaurants and retail outlets.

- Bruce Chan, Growland Chairman
</blockquote>

 

<blockquote>
Victoria Square is more than a residential project, it’s a large-scale lifestyle precinct that will help shape the fabric of the Footscray area and bring value to the local community. Given the level of design quality and the scale of the development, it is integral that the builder we partner with has a proven track record of delivering similar projects on time, and to budget.

Commencing construction at Victoria Square is an important milestone that we are proud to share with our purchasers and future residents.

- Ronald Chan, Growland CEO
</blockquote>

 

<blockquote>
The median unit price in Footscray is $405,000, which is unheard of for a suburb that is within 5km of the CBD; Flemington, Hawthorn and Windsor are all a similar distance and significantly more expensive. Combine that with a fantastic public transport network, proximity to education and employment and a buzzing café culture, and I have no doubt we will continue to see an increase in demand for apartments in the area.

- Daniel Slomoi, District Data managing director
</blockquote>
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Laurence Dragomir

LU Simon commences construction on Growland's Victoria Square

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Designs for the next phase of Growland Group's six tower <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/projects/victoria-square-8-hopkins-street-footscray">Victoria Square residential development</a> in Footscray have been released. <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/news/fender-katsalidis-appointed-for-victoria-squares-next-phase">As reported</a> on Urban.com.au back in May, Fender Katsalidis were tasked with the design of the twin tower project, located within the Joseph Road precinct bound by Hopkins Street, the Maribyrnong River and the railway line.

The Joseph Road Precinct represents 15 hectares of developable land which has been identified as a Priority Development Zone in the Council’s Structure Plan for Footscray.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/grow10087_vic_sq_stage_2_e01_hero.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The first of two tower, VS03 was launched this month. Image: Growland Group"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="870" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/grow10087_vic_sq_stage_2_e01_hero.jpg?itok=t9xReUwg" title="The first of two tower, VS03 was launched this month. Image: Growland Group" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The first of two towers, VS03 was launched this month. Image: Growland Group</figcaption></figure>In launching stage three which will be known as VS03, Growland claims it has responded to buyer demand and a maturing apartment market. VS03 will feature a product mix and floor plans geared towards owner occupiers, who account for 80 per cent of the sales to date. 76 per cent of the apartments within stage three comprise two-bedroom, two-bathrooms, while all 86 apartments will feature floor plans larger than Melbourne’s average and have at least one car space, one storage cage and a private balcony ranging from eight to 13 sqm.

Fender Katsalidis have designed twin curvilinear towers which draw on Victoria Square's riverside location along the Maribyrnong River, with full height windows maximising panoramic views over the river, the CBD and the bay beyond. VS04 will be released at a later date, with the first two stages achieving 90% sales success.

<blockquote>
We wanted to create a building that offered flexibility for buyers, many of whom are looking to purchase a home that will suit them as they shift through various stages of life. Each apartment has been designed specifically for owner occupiers, taking into account their wants and needs and how we can optimise their living experience.

- James Pearce, Director, Fender Katsalidis
</blockquote>

<iframe frameborder="0" height="420" src="https://www.urban.com.au/developments/footscray-vic?embeddable=map" width="100%"></iframe>

 

With construction expected to commence in late 2019, VS03 will add to Footscray's development pipeline of <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developments/footscray-vic">45 projects currently being tracked on the Urban.com.au database</a>. It's fair to say Footscray is now well on its way to realising its potential as an Activity Centre with support from both local and state government, and private investment.

 

One of the largest projects within the Joseph Road precinct will be 2 Neilson Place. Designed by Architecton for FJP Pty Ltd the development will comprise 4 towers, 577 apartments over 26-storeys along with 572 car spaces and retail tenancies on a corner site of 6,264 sqm with frontages to Maryibyrnong Street and Neilson Place. 

Projects currently under construction within Footscray include multi-tower developments at <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/projects/riverina-22-hopkins-street-footscray">Riverina</a> and 2 Hopkins Street, and the largest development within Footscray, <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/projects/live-city-124-188-ballarat-road-footscray">LiveCity</a>. Occupying a massive 33,393 sqm site, the first stage will account for 208 apartments on the western portion of the site. LU Simon is at the helm of the stage one build of 15-storeys, with future stages varying in heights between eight and 18-storeys. 

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/footscray_development_projects_oct.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Key projects across Footscray include Neilson Place, Riverina and LiveCity"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="386" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/footscray_development_projects_oct.jpg?itok=QDeEg5FM" title="Key projects across Footscray include Neilson Place, Riverina and LiveCity" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Key projects across Footscray include Neilson Place, Riverina and LiveCity</figcaption></figure>
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Victoria Square's next phase adds to Footscray's development pipeline 

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Developer Growland has recently appointed Fender Katsalidis (FK) to design phase two of its six-tower, mixed-use residential project, Victoria Square in Footscray. 

Fender Katsalidis will design a total of four towers for the project across two stages of the Hopkins Street development with the first two towers being delivered as part of stage two sited above the commercial podium.

Together, the $88m second stage will add a further 146 apartments to the rapidly evolving Footscray Activity Centre, on top of the 454 apartments within the two towers of Stage one of Victoria Square.

FK will work closely with Growland and the project team to ensure the next phase reflects the existing design for stage one, which was created by Kavellaris Urban Design.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/victoria_square_skygarden.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Stage One of Victoria Square's sky garden. Image: Growland"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/victoria_square_skygarden.jpg?itok=GlZPCk0d" title="Stage One of Victoria Square's sky garden. Image: Growland" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Stage One of Victoria Square's sky garden. Image: Growland</figcaption></figure>According to Growland, Fender Katsalidis was appointed "due to the firm’s synonymous values and creative vision" and that the appointment reflected the developer’s confidence "in Melbourne’s apartment market into 2018 and beyond."

Growland has revealed the apartment towers will feature a greater proportion of larger apartments than the first phase of Victoria Square; a direct response to the significant number of local owner-occupiers that have shown interest in the project. The prominence of two and three-bedroom apartments will appeal to a broad cross-section of buyers, according to FK. 
In addition to the residential towers, Victoria Square will offer 5,720 sqm of commercial space across the whole project, an activated public laneway with retail and hospitality offerings and amenities including a gym, pool, spa, private dining rooms, library and Australia’s first aerial running track.

Construction is due to commence in June 2018 and Stage One of Victoria Square is expected to be complete by the second half of 2020. Phase two will be launched in the second half of 2018.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/victoria_square_laneway.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Victoria Square's laneway will be activated with retail and hospitality tenancies. Image: Growland"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="341" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/victoria_square_laneway.jpg?itok=NXV1Ea7Y" title="Victoria Square's laneway will be activated with retail and hospitality tenancies. Image: Growland" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Victoria Square's laneway will be activated with retail and hospitality tenancies. Image: Growland</figcaption></figure><h2>What they say</h2>

<blockquote>
Victoria Square’s first two buildings, comprising 420 apartments, are already 80% sold with local demand exceeding our projections.

Melbourne’s apartment market has matured to a point where buyers embrace apartment living as long as the product is of a high architectural quality both inside and out and is anchored by a strong vision for the future.

We want to meet the market and then push it that little bit further, which is why we have decided to appoint Fender Katsalidis to design the next phase of the project,

Growland is happy to be collaborating with a team that is just as committed as we are to delivering homes that people are proud to live in and will last a lifetime.

Fender Katsalidis understands our residents and appreciates the significant opportunity we have to shape the Footscray community through this built environment.

- Ronald Chan, Growland CEO
</blockquote>

 

<blockquote>
It is important to us that these apartments remain flexible and can be used by a variety of households – whether it be two people sharing and renting, a family with children or a couple wanting a spare bedroom.

We have exceeded all industry standards to ensure ample living rooms and an abundance of natural light to align with the requirements of the astute owner-occupier at Victoria Square.

Phase one has a distinctive shape to it so we’ve investigated how we could complement this design feature while giving the two new buildings a character of their own.

We considered the site itself and its location – historically Footscray functioned as small village along the curving banks of the Maribyrnong River where goods would come in from the boats and then be sent across to the city.

There is a strong historical connection with the river and with the area’s focus on maintaining a tight-knit community – we wanted the building to reflect that.

We used the shape of the river to create a curved ribbon pattern across the glass façade of the buildings created through a raised spandrel and solid balcony panels. We have given the building an identity that’s based on its locality and history.

- James Pearce, FK Director
</blockquote>
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Fender Katsalidis appointed for Victoria Square's next phase

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Standing dormant for years, Kinnears Footscray has finally begun its transformation into a mixed-use precinct.

Builder LU Simon has initiated works on Stage One of the project, which will be known as <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/projects/live-city-124-188-ballarat-road-footscray">L.I.V.E. City</a>. Beating out other contractors such as Hutchinson and Hamilton Marino, LU Simon is tasked with delivering 208 apartments across 14 levels at the western most section of the massive 33,393 square metre site which is addressed 124-188 Ballarat Road.

Demolition works are in progress elsewhere across the site, gradually removing the structure that formerly housed the rope manufacturer. Architecture firm Elenberg Fraser are working on the master-planned precinct for developer R&amp;F Property Australia. 

Although a display suite onsite is ready, no public release of apartments has taken place as yet.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image281.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Works across the Kinnears site with XO Projects' take on the development"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="492" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image281.jpg?itok=BV_aStlz" title="Works across the Kinnears site with XO Projects' take on the development" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Works across the Kinnears site with an early masterplanned image for the site</figcaption></figure>Meanwhile works across <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/projects/victoria-square-8-hopkins-street-footscray">Growland's Victoria Square</a> site have begun following a January approval to amended plans for the development.

Six buildings consisting of 900 plus apartments, offices and extensive retail space can proceed. The $600 million project now has excavators onsite preparing for a construction start.

Amendments to the Kavellaris Urban Design scheme included bumping apartment numbers up to 931, increasing commercial floor space to 6,012 square metres and boosting parking spaces within the development to 1075. <a href="https://urban.melbourne/planning/2017/10/10/growland-pushes-footscrays-victoria-square-new-heights">Building heights were also marginally increased</a>, with the tallest to stand at 25 storeys.

Stage One of Victoria Square includes the delivery of 161 single bedroom, 265 dual bedroom and 28 triple bedroom apartments across two towers.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image27_5_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The amended and approved Victoria Square. Image: KUD"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image27_5_0.jpg?itok=pVUNNQPH" title="The amended and approved Victoria Square. Image: KUD" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The amended and approved Victoria Square. Image: KUD</figcaption></figure>With earthworks in progress, construction proper on Stage One of Victoria Square is slated to begin mid this year, with a completion target of 2020.

Either side of Victoria Square, construction is also in motion for two fellow Joseph Road Precinct projects. Blue Earth Group have initiated construction across 2 Hopkins Street, whilst Stage One of Riverina Footscray has recently topped out.

It will temporarily hold the title as Footscray's tallest residential tower until Victoria Square's first stage is completed. Future stages of Riverina will see two 31 level apartment towers also delivered.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/img_7067.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Riverina Footscray construction progress"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="355" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_7067.jpg?itok=hE1vkpNG" title="Riverina Footscray construction progress" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Riverina Footscray construction progress</figcaption></figure>
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silvermb

Kinnears and Victoria Square add to Footscray's construction upswing

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Affordability is the buzz word, and has been for some time in regards to Melbourne's property scene. It's quite hard to escape the plethora of articles on the pressing issue at the moment, and understandably so.

One such article in this week's AFR goes in depth on the <a href="http://www.afr.com/opinion/columnists/melbourne-holds-the-answer-to-the-housing-crisis-20170403-gvd0wv">housing affordability issue</a>, touching upon both the detached housing and apartment sector, and the differences between the two from a local perspective. In this malaise of unaffordability, one developer has taken steps to position their pending development as a genuine opportunity to secure an inner-city apartment at an affordable price.

Growland's first stage within Footscray's Victoria Square development will see 61sqm one-bedroom plus study apartments priced at $298,000. Any buyer actively looking to enter the market will be aware that the apartment size versus price outcome at Victoria Square is skewed in favour of the buyer.

In a recent media release, Growland's CEO Ronald Chan addressed the affordability quandary:

<blockquote>
The key to addressing Melbourne’s affordability lies in high rises like Victoria Square – strong, modern communities are created through high density living. It is vital that the next generation has access to quality homes, with considered, long lasting architecture, but at a price that is achievable in relation to today’s median household incomes.

Young people also need to be able to live at a reasonable distance to where they work. Melbourne’s employment precinct has traditionally been concentrated to the CBD, meaning the inner ring suburbs are incredibly important to Melbourne’s future growth.
</blockquote>

CoreLogic's median price for a one bedroom Melbourne apartment is $330,000, whilst REIV has the median Melbourne apartment price above $585,000 for the December 2016 Quarter.

With the first stage including 240 one, two and three bedroom apartments, its unclear how many single bedroom apartments are priced at $298,000. Nonetheless it will be an appealing price for a certain segment of the buyer market and an attractive hook in order to encourage buyer interest within Victoria Square.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image14_10.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="An apartment within Victoria Square"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image14_10.jpg?itok=o4zrbHHi" title="An apartment within Victoria Square"></a>

<figcaption>An apartment within Victoria Square</figcaption></figure>Previously dubbed Joseph Place, Victoria Square has been extensively covered by Urban.com.au in the past.

As one of Joseph Road Precinct's power development blocks covering 13,179sqm, Growland hold approval for 939 apartments across 6 separate buildings. Stage 1 of  Victoria Square will rise 23 levels and maintain a wave-like exterior.

In addition to the 240 apartments, Stage 1's street level activation will be considerable. A retail laneway will slice through the distinctive podium, featuring 3,000sqm of retail and hosptiality space which will be built in conjunction with the first tower.

Above, the stand out communal facility is Australia’s first and only Olympic-sized aerial outdoor track. Also in tow is a residents’ pool, gym, and cinema whilst a 3,000sqm podium skypark will provide the project with a generous slab of open space.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/jp-01.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Victoria Square's first stage"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="773" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/jp-01.jpg?itok=K6tDvi2T" title="Victoria Square's first stage" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Victoria Square's first stage</figcaption></figure>
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Victoria Square

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